Chapter 2

Early the next morning.

The iron door was pushed open again.

Blinding light flooded into the basement.

I instinctively closed my eyes.

Ethan strode in.

Holding a leash in his hand.

At the other end of the leash was my golden retriever, Pudding.

Seeing me, Pudding immediately wagged his tail excitedly.

He whimpered, trying to run toward me.

But Ethan yanked the leash hard.

"Pudding..."

I called out hoarsely.

Tears instantly welled up.

This was the dog I'd raised for five years.

My only comfort in this cold villa.

"Ethan, this dog is so vicious. It barked at me yesterday."

Lily followed behind.

Timidly hiding behind Ethan.

"Does it resent me for taking Clara's place?"

Ethan sneered.

"A beast is just a beast, taking after its owner's vicious nature."

He yanked the leash violently.

Pudding was choked and let out a pitiful yelp.

Falling heavily to the ground.

"Ethan! What are you doing!"

I found strength from somewhere.

Struggling to get up from the floor.

Trying to lunge forward to protect Pudding.

"Bang!"

Ethan lifted his leg.

Kicking me back down with one foot.

My head hit the cement floor hard.

My vision went black.

"Clara, you still have the energy to care about a dog?"

Ethan looked down at me from above.

His eyes cruel to the extreme.

"Lily gets scared now whenever she sees fire or furry animals."

"This is all your doing."

"Since you love this dog so much, I'll let you watch how it atones for your sins."

He turned to look at the bodyguard behind him.

His tone cold and emotionless.

"Break this beast's legs."

"Then throw it into the septic tank in the backyard."

My eyes widened in shock.

Looking at him in disbelief.

"No! Ethan, you're insane!"

"Pudding is innocent! He didn't do anything!"

I crawled forward desperately.

Clutching Ethan's leather shoes with both hands.

"Please... don't hurt him..."

"Beat me, yell at me if you want..."

"Let Pudding go... please..."

I cried my heart out.

My forehead banging against the floor.

Blood streaming down my cheeks.

Blurring my vision.

Ethan kicked me away in disgust.

"When you set that fire to burn Lily, why didn't you think about how she was innocent too?"

"Do it!"

The bodyguard raised the iron rod in his hand.

Without hesitation, he smashed it down on Pudding's hind leg.

"Crack!"

The sound of breaking bones echoed clearly in the basement.

Pudding let out an extremely shrill scream.

He rolled on the ground in agony.

But his eyes remained fixed on me.

As if begging me for help.

"Pudding!"

I screamed in despair.

My heart felt like it was being crushed by a giant hand.

The bodyguard dragged Pudding by his hind leg.

Dragging him out of the basement like garbage.

A long trail of blood remained on the floor.

Lily covered her eyes in fear.

"Ethan, this is too cruel..."

Ethan pulled her gently into his arms.

"Don't be afraid. Evil people deserve evil retribution."

He turned his head, looking at me coldly.

"Clara, does it hurt?"

"Can't take it already?"

"Let me tell you, this is far from enough."

He pulled a small transparent vial from his pocket.

Tossing it in front of me.

"This is today's medicine."

"Drink it yourself."

"Otherwise, I'll have someone skin that dog and make it into a carpet for your cell."

I stared at the vial on the ground.

Trembling like a leaf.

Ethan, you're not human.

You're a complete demon.

I extended my still-functioning left hand, trembling.

Picking up the vial from the ground.

Pulling out the stopper.

Tilting my head back, I drank the bitter liquid in one gulp.

Ethan smiled with satisfaction.

"So obedient."

"Lily, let's go."

The iron door closed again.

I lay on the ground.

My stomach felt like I'd swallowed a burning coal.

The intense cramping left me without even the strength to scream.

Pudding's blood trail was right before my eyes.

I reached out, gently touching that trail of blood.

Tears fell heavily onto the ground.

"Pudding, I'm sorry."

"Mommy will definitely avenge you."